Hi, my name is Amy, I am 17 years old and on Saturday 31st January 2026 I am going to be hiking up and down Box Hill around 95 times until I have hiked the height of Mount Everest for the Dylan Strong Foundation.

As some of you may know, every year for the past 4 years I have completed a 'January challenge' that I set myself to challenge my resilience and strength. January 2023, when I was 14 years old, I ran 5km every day of January and raised £2500 for cancer research. January 2024 I ran 5km, 6km, 7km, 8km and 10km increasing each week, every day of January and raised nearly £3000 for MIND mental health. January 2025 I walked 100 miles non-stop in 43.5 hours and raised over £8000 for OCD Action. Last year was the toughest challenge I have ever faced but this year I am pushing myself even further.

This year I am hiking Box Hill as many times as it takes me to have hiked the height of Mount Everest - 8848m - carrying a military Bergen backpack weighing 45lbs. I am hoping this challenge to be even bigger than last year. Last year I got interviewed by Radio Jackie and I am hoping to get another interview this year too.

I have chosen the Dylan Strong Foundation as the charity this year as it is a local charity that my family and I have supported since 2022. The charity was founded by our friend Louise Long in 2022 following the passing of 7 year old Dylan Long. Dylan was diagnosed with a brain tumour and sadly passed away in 2021 but his memory has been carried on through the Dylan Strong Foundation. The aim of this amazing charity is to provide support, nutrition and awareness to children and families facing cancer. Louise and I have discussed where I would like the money I raise to go and we have decided that it will be put towards funding another hospital nutritious meals for the children and teens facing cancer. I will provide more information on this once the hospital and ward has been confirmed.

To find out more about the Dylan Strong Foundation please go to their website and read about the amazing things that Louise and the team are doing.

If you would like to support me on my hike by either walking alongside me for bits of it over the 36 hours or by helping to support with food and rest stations then please get in touch.

Thank you for reading, please share this link and donate if you can!